David learns that Batsheva is pregnant. Since her husband, Uriah, has been away at war, there is no doubt that the child belongs to the king. When Batsheva begins to show, everyone will know of their shameful behavior. Natan tries to help David conceal this infidelity. He advises that Uriah be called back to meet with the king. If Uriah takes the opportunity to sleep with his beautiful wife (even though doing so violates the religious custom for men on active duty), then the child can be passed off as his. Uriah, however, proves too honorable and chooses to stay at the army barracks. David sends him back to the army with secret written orders.

Several days later, an army messenger comes to the king to report a bungled sortie in which Uriah has been killed. Natan suddenly has a vision of the orders and realizes that David has written Yoav to arrange Uriah’s death in battle. Natan sees with new clarity that David is no longer doing what can be justified as necessary for the kingdom; instead, he is simply taking what he wants and treating even his most loyal followers as disposable.